Folding berth and seating unit



Dec. 1, 1953 w. J. WILLIAMS 2,660,733

FOLDING BERTH AND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet lFIGI.

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m" "In" h l I 'l 2 WARREN YwYEE I AMS Dec. 1, 1953 w J, w s 2,660,733

FOLDING BERTH AND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 /5/4 /4 5 q 0 /0 E III'WI" '1' I 26 W l lql' MI l l l|| NI! IHI $2 26 H g24 INVENTOR.

X WARREN J. WILLIAMS 1953 w. J. WILLIAMS 2,660,733

FOLDING-BERTH AND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR.' WARREN J. WILLIAMS ATTOENE V- 1953 w. J. WILLIAMS I 2,660,733

FOLDING BERTH AND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 1MI 4 Q INVENTOR. WARREN J. WILLIAMS 1953 w. J. WILLIAMS FOLDING BERTHAND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WARRENJ. WILLIAMS Q Joblaw ATTOQNE Y Dec. 1, 1953 w, wlLLlAMS 2,660,733

FOLDING BERTH AND SEATING UNIT Filed March 24, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6FIG.|4. 55

INVENTOR. WARREN Jx WILLIAMS Fatented cc. 1, 1953 UNITED i smear orrlcsThis invention relates to folding berths and, more particularly, to theduplex type adapted, when not in use, to be swung into a recess in abulkhead or partition wall, and particularly adapted to ship stateroomsor other sleeping quarters (and also to railway sleeping cars andsimilar installations). The invention is shown in connection with shipsleeping quarters which, when not used for sleeping, is used as a loungeor parlour, and for this purpose, has a seat or sofa.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a duplex foldingberth in which the upper berth may be turned more than 90 to an inclinedor slanted position in which it can be readily made-up by a personstanding on the floor (i. e., without having to climb up to make thebed). An allied object is to provide means enabling the upper berth tobe selectively turned 90 to sleeping position, or a greater angle (suchas 115) to said make-up position.

Another object of invention is to provide a safety lock or latcharrangement which will assure that the berth will remain positively inselected position, whether that be the normal, closed position, or theopen, sleeping position, or the aforementioned make-up (slanted)position.

A further object of invention is to provide in the folding berth of thetype described, an equalizing spring which will make easier the task ofreturning the berth to closed position. An allied object is to providean equalizing spring for a folding berth which is readily adjusted toregulate the tension of the spring, as may be required.

A still further object of invention is to provide the folding berth withan improved form of berth-ladder which has a number of features whichwill be fully described and pointed out in the ensuing specification.

For the attainment of the foregoing and such other objects of inventionas may appear or be pointed out herein, I have shown a, preferredembodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front View of the improved folding berth in non-sleepingposition, closed except for the sofa or seat;

Fig. 2 is likewise a front view but showing the upper berth in open orsleeping position;

Fig. 3 is a front view similar to Fig. 2, but showing both the lower andthe upper berths in open, sleeping position, and with the berth-ladderextended to the floor;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the improved folding berth, with the upperberth in open or sleeping position;

Fig. 5 is an elevational section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, andshowing the upper berth in closed position and the lower berth in openor sleeping position;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-section through the improved folding berth;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken substantially on theline 'l--':l of Fig. 2, showing the upper berth in make-up position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section, in elevation, taken on the line 8-43 ofFig. 6, showing particularly, the equalizing spring;

Fig. 9 is a section taken longitudinally through the improved berth onthe line 9-4) of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front View of the front of the upper berth (inopen or sleeping position), showing the berth-ladder in reposedposition;

Fig. 11 is a front view of the berth-ladder in its operative position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail of the ladder articulation, taken on theline l2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail of the ladder construction taken on theline iS-l 3 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 14- is a sectional view taken on the line I l-l4 of Fig. 11,showing further details of the ladder construction.

Referring first to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the improved foldingberth of this invention is disposed between a pair of stanchions it,ill, which extend normally from bulkhead l. Referring now to Figs. 4 and5, it will be seen that the upper berth 2D is pivotally mounted (betweensaid pair of stanchions [0, ill) to turn on axis 2| from the open orsleeping position (shown in Fig. 4) to the closed position (shown inFig. 5); it will also be seen that the lower berth it is similarlypivotally mounted to turn on axis 3i from its closed position (shown inFig. 4) to the open or sleeping position (shown in Fig. 5). Thestructure of the two berths, e. g. that of the upper berth, is bestshown in Figs. '7 and 6, from which it will be seen that the berth (theupper berth, that is) has a floor panel 22 (Fig. 7), constructed ofhollow plate construction and end walls 23, 23 (Fig. 6).

The bottom face of floor panel 22 presents a smooth, uninterruptedsurface or plane 2%, which is decoratively treated because when theberth (upper) is closedas it is in Fig. l--said decorated or finishedsurface 24 will be exposed, as shown in said figure.

To open the upper berth from its closed position (shown in Fig. 1) ahand-latch 25 is provided, Fig. 1, at one side. A similar hand-latch 35is provided for the lower berth. Stops are provided to limit the extentof opening or the berths to open position; the stops associated with thelower berth 30 will be first described, because these are simple, fixedstops (unlike those of the upper berth, subsequently explained).Referring to Fig. 4, a lug or stop 36 projects laterally-on bothsides-from floor panel 32 of the lower berth 30, which, when the berthis turned 90 to open position (see Fig. 5) abuts and is stopped by a lugor stop l6 provided in the side stanchion Ill, or rather, stanchionsII], II).

Similar fixed stops are not provided in connection with the upper berth,because of the feature of the improved berth of this invention whichenables the upper berth to be turned more than 90, to an inclined orslanted position in which it can be readily made-up by a person standingon the floor. Upper berth is shown in Fig. 7 in said inclined make-upposition. That is, whereas in sleeping position, upper berth :26 isturned 90 (to.positionv ofEFigy-A). in the make-up position,.it isturned '115f21Fig. 7. I have found this angle of slant to besatisfactory, but it is to be understood thatmyxinvention is not limitedto this, or any other angle.

To enable the upper berth. 28 to be selectively turned 90 to sleepingposition or 115'to makeup position, the stops on the berth (unlike {3,6,36) are not fixed but -.ar.e adjusted selectively. For this purpose, ashaft-.21, see Fig.'9,:extends across the length of the upperberth 26,being mounted in end walls 23 for an extent ofturning, and is providedatboth ends with an arm orstop-arm 26, :26. .ShaftZ? is turnable (bymeans subsequently described) from a position in which it is normal tothe floor plate 24 of the berth 20 (as in Figs. 5 and 4) to a positionin which it abuts or lies against the floor plate 24 (as, in Fig. 7).Shaft21 is journaled in the walls 23 to rotate about a constant/axis.The

ends of shaft 21 are fixed to stop lugs 26, 25 so that stop lugs 26,261may be turned to lie against fioorplate 2d by turning the shaft2'l.When the end stop lugs 26, 25 are in said normal position (Figs. 5-4),they contaot, vwhenthe upper berth is turned 90 (as in Fig. 4),,apredetermined surface l5, l5 of stops it, I l-fixed in the sidestanchions H3, H3 see Figs. 4, 5 and-also Fig. 9. Referring particularlyto Fig.4, the stop surface I5 is so disposed that, with theend stops.26, 25 in saidnormal position ,(of Figs. 5 -4), these stops *26-[5 willengage to limit the open turning to 90 as in Fig, 4. But ifshaft 21 hadbeen turned to lie end'stops 126526 against-floor plate 24 (as in Fig.7), stopzsurface I5 will not be effective to limit the turning to said90. Instead, the berth will continue turning-to 115, as explainedab0ve,until the -side,-rather than the end, of stop 26 abuts .a second(inclined) stop surface l3 provided on stop lugs M, M.

To enable shaft 21 to be turned to selective position, its end stops26,126 as just described, it is provided with a centrally-disposed bevelgear 28, Fig. 9, and the plate 24-see Fig. l-.-is provided with a smallaperture '29, wherethrough may be inserteda hand-tool 9 which hasa'bevel gear 8'at its inserted end. After insertingtool 9 to mesh itsgear 8 with bevel gear. 2-9,;it is turned to impart a turning in thedesireddirection, to shaft 21.

It had been mentioned earlier that the berth may be opened and closed bymanipulationof hand-latches 25 (upper berth) and (1ower berth) Fig. 1.These will now be describedpwith reference toFigs."4,.5 and 'ig-andalso'rFigrzG. Se

cured on the two side trunions II, II, Figs. 64, upon which upper berth20 is pivotally mounted (to turn on axis 2|, 2| as before described) aretwo stationary discs l1, H, see especially Figs. 5-4-7. As there shown,the periphery of disc (i. e., discs) I! is provided with a plurality ofnotches in which may be received a lug 48 provided at the distal end ofalever 41 pivotally mounted, at 45, to theeend wall 23 of :the upperberth. At said distal end of lever "41 but on the Side opposite said lug48, is articulated one end of a link 35, the other end of which isarticulated to ;one-arm of a bell-crank lever 44, pivotally mounted at33. To the other arm of the bell-crank lever 44 is articulated one endof the hand latch .25. A tensile spring 42, anchored at one endto endwall 23 and secured at its other end to link 45.

By reason of tensile spring 42, lever 57 is constantly urged towards;the periphery of stationary disc !7,,so that its said lug -48. willentercertain notches provided in the periphery ;of-;disc ll. "One ofsuch notches is designated iBc-and islocated, see Fig. 5, sothat, whenupperrberth is in closed position, lug :48-wi1lsnapinto said notch 86,to positively lock the parts in closed position, as shown.

To manipulate, the safetylock (for opening the berth), hand-latch-.2 -5ispul-led'out, to the-left Fig. 5, thus turning bell-crank lever Mcounterclockwise and raising lever. 4'], thus withdrawing its lug .48from notchiBc. ZUpper berthZEi is then turned eoyunuistepped by26-i5 (asdescribed above) in this-positionqof the berth, lug es snaps intoasecond notch l8 on the periphery of disc i7 asshown inF igQ. A, thirdnotch Him is, provided in the periphery of disc .llfinto which, lug-48snaps, when. the upper. berth is in slanted or make-up positionas inFig.7.

A similar safety lock arrangement is provided on lower berth3ii andmanipulated by hand-latch 35, ,Fig. 1, the .partsbeing the samereference numerals as described-andshown with reference to theupper-berth. The only differenceis that the disc ll associatedwiththelower berth has only two notches, viz, .lSc-andJB, there being nonotch for azslanted or makesup position. I

Referring to Fig. 2, flashing [.2 is provided to the rear of the berths,between the side stanchions i9, it. The berths, .such as .upperberth 20,Fig. 2, are provided with rollers [9 which engage said flashing l2.

ReferringtoFig. '7, .the sides of the. berth are provided with rubberbumpers. 37,...3'! whichfcontact rubber bumpers 38,138 which, line theopening in the housing, ,see Fig. 1. I

An equalizing. coil spring,2,.Fig. 8,Iis provided at each trunnion oraxis 2!, see;Fig. .6. .As clearly shown in Fig- 8, the inner end of-thecoil, spring is'held in a stud or spindle (axis) v2| of upper berthZG,While the other. end ofthe spring. is secured to stanchion. ,Thissecurenent is made adjustable so that the proper. t e,nsion maybefapplied tothe coil spring. Forfthis purposa a plate 50, Fig. 8, is held to-stanchionllii,easbymeans..of threaded bolt ea, and provided with,anopening or hook 52. by which theeenduof the spring can be secured. .Byturning boltfil thespringanchor 50 may be movedtowards, pr away (from,-the rightside of stanchion l0,,thus-.varying thft sion of .coilspringZ.v

The berth-ladder in itsznormal Knot-meme) position,iis.turned so: thatit is.-re.p.0sed horizontallyjalong the-frontof the; upperziberth'20;;as clearly shown in Fig. 2. To enable it to be sojnmed.

its two sidepieces 60, are pivotally secured to the front of the berth.The details of construction are clearly shown in Figs. 10-11, from whichit will be seen that one of the sidepieces, more particularly, 90, isradially aligned with the pivotal point SE of securement to the berth,whereas the other sidepiece i0 is offset or spaced from its pivotalpoint ll. That is, sidepiece '10 is connected to the pivotal securementby an elbow fitting 72.

The sidepieces 80, 70 may be made tubular and round (cylindrical) butfor several reasons, such as strength, beauty of appearance, economy,etc. they are given the oval shape shown in Fig. 13 and hollowedinternally by a large central bore 53, 73 and two smaller bores 84, 14.The manner of articulating the sidepieces to the front of the berths,represented by plate 20 in Fig. 12, is shown in that figure withreference to the sidepiece 80. In the central bore 63 at the upper endof sidepiece 30 is securely held the threaded, bolt-like end 85 of afitting 86. Freely rotatable on bolt end 85 and disposed between the endof sidepiece 60 and a pair of lock nuts 67 is a disc or roller 88.Fitting 66 has a spherical seat 69 for a ball or sphere 59 whichprojects from a bracket 57 secured to the aforesaid plate 20 of theupper berth. Also secured to the bracket is a cam surface 58 engaged bythe disc roller 88. The other sidepiece (0, Figs. 10-11, is similarlyarticulated, the parts being similarly designated 58-3806.

By reason of the spherical connection 59-68 between the two sidepieces80, 70 and the upper berth and the provision of cam surfaces 58, 58 androllers 68, 68, the ladder, more particularly, its sidepieces 60, 70 isextended outwardly away from the wall, when the ladder is being turnedto open position, see Fig. 3.

The rungs of the ladder, designated 53, are disposed between sidepieces60, 10, being articulated at 54, 54 to elbows or lateral projections 55,56 directed inwardly from sidepieces 80, Ill.

The berth-ladder is held in its folded, non-use position by means of alatch 15, Fig, 13, which is turnably mounted to a bracket 19 secured tothe berth, as by the pin 18. Pin 78 may not only turn relative to thebracket 19, but may also be pulled outwardly, together with latch 15,away from the bracket. However, a small compression spring 17 abuttingthe headed end 18 of the pin, normally maintains the latch 75 in closerelation to bracket 79, as shown in Fig. 13, in which position thesidepieces 50, 70 are clamped in position, as shown in Fig. 13.Preparatory to turning the ladder to operative position, the latch 75 ispulled away from bracket 19 (i. e. to the right in Fig. 13), the opening75 enabling the hand to grasp the latch. The latch is then turned 90 tothe position shown in Fig. 3, thus freeing the sidepieces of the ladder.

Upper berth 30 is provided with a protective railing at the head end, i.e., at the right as viewed in Fig. 3. Said protective railing comprisesan ell-shaped tube having one leg 80 extending longitudinally, Fig. 3,and its other leg 8| extending transversely, Fig. 4. When the upperberth is turned to closed position, said protective railing is collapsedfor folded and becomes erected to protecting position, when the berth isturned to sleeping position, as in Fig. 4, For this reason protectiverail 8! is mounted on the berth by a parallel linkage which comprises apair of supporting arms 82, 83, pivotally mounted on the end wall of theupper berth at 84 and 85 respectively, said arms being distallyarticulated to the ends of rail 8!, Fig. 4. To one of said arms, moreparticularly, 82, is articulated one end of the anchorage link 89, theother end of which is pivotally mounted to the berth Wall at 87.

I claim:

1. In a berth installation disposed adjacent a bulkhead, in combination,a pair of stanchions secured to the bulkhead at the spaced distance ofthe berth, at least one berth disposed between the bulkheads,axially-aligned trunnions for pivotally mounting the berth, a stationarydisc disposed on one of said trunnions at one of said stanchions, alever pivotally mounted at one end wall of the berth having a distal lugengaging the periphery of the disc, said disc periphery having aplurality of notches, spring means for normally urging said levertowards the disc to engage its said lug in said notches, one of saidnotches being angularly disposed on the disc to lock the berth in closedposition, and another of said notches being disposed from said firstnotch to lock the berth in open sleeping position, manual means forwithdrawing said lever lug, said berth adapted to be turned more than 90from its closed position to an inclined slanted makeup position, saidstationary disc having a pcripheral notch to lock said berth in saidslanted make-up position, a coil tensile spring disposed at saidtrunnion, one end of the spring being secured to said trunnion to turnwith the berth, the other end of the spring being secured to saidstanchion.

2. The combination according to claim l'wherein the inner end of thecoil spring is secured to the trunnion and the outer end thereof issecured to the stanchion.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said spring securementto the stanchion is adjustable.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said adjustable springsecurement comprises a block having a hooked opening for receiving saidouter end of the coil spring, and a threaded bolt for regulatablysecuring the block to the stanchion.

WARREN J. WILLIAMS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 345,612 Ayres July 13, 1886 401,418 Cullen et al Apr. 16, 1889476,876 English June 14, 1892 529,944 Opel Nov. 27, 1894 764,842 FauberJuly 12, 1904 1,054,844 Hicks Mar. 4, 1913 1,358,209 Holio Nov. 9, 19201,691,260 Thomson Nov. 13, 1923 2,382,370 Tully et al Aug. 14, 1945FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,990 Great Britain June 8, 1874

